Solar Auto Transfer Switch-A Great Free-Handing Transfer Switch

If you’re out of town, there’s no one home to monitor anything. Days of no sunlight, dead batteries, everything shut down, and without restoring reliable power to your home, you’re on a business trip on the other side of the country. You don’t know what’s going on at home. Upon returning, you find that the temperature of the house is abnormal, the food is rotting in the refrigerator, and the home security is abnormal…… Etc.

That’s why solar auto transfer switches come to market. Solar auto transfer switch units ensure total power protection for your home to keep all major appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioning units, running. So if the solar battery power is depleted due to equipment failure, and the home solar panels go for several days without sunlight or other factors, you will not be affected.

What Is Solar Auto Transfer Switch?

A solar auto transfer switch is a device that automatically switches power from the main power supply to the standby power supply when it detects a power failure in the solar power supply. When the solar power system fails, the solar auto transfer switch invokes the backup power supply, such as the uninterruptible power supply. the solar auto transfer switch can also start longer-term backup power systems, such as local diesel generators, to run electrical equipment until the mains are restored.

Since the auto transfer switch for solar is connected to the primary and secondary power supplies, it acts as an intermediary between the device and the power supply, acting as a relay. The auto transfer switch for solar can also be used as a redundant rack power supply for devices that are connected to the power supply through only one power cable.

In data centers, having uninterruptible power is critical. In order to achieve this goal, the system in the power path must be properly maintained and tested. To ensure power failure reliability, the data center administrator must periodically monitor the auto transfer switch for solar. Auto transfer switch for solar units can channel a lot of energy, which puts a lot of pressure on the electrical contacts involved, so regular maintenance is critical.

Manual VS Solar Auto Transfer Switches

There are manual and solar auto transfer switches to choose from, and the design ranges from super simple to more high-tech. Available in single and multiple ways. Transfer switches rated “fit for use as service equipment” can be installed upstream of the electrical system, on the main circuit breaker of your electrical panel. This is a complex thing that requires a licensed electrical contractor to evaluate and install.

Manual transfer switches are more economical and simpler. However, someone must be on-site to operate the generator, and start and shut it down. This means that when the power is turned off, it does not turn on automatically.

solar auto transfer switches (auto transfer switch for solar) are more expensive, but the advanced technology they offer is well worth it. This switch automatically transfers power to the generator in the event of a power failure. the auto transfer switch for solar can start and stop generators, detect power outages, and automatically switch to backup power as needed. When power returns to the utility line, the solar auto transfer switch device automatically turns back to the original power supply and shuts down the generator. Installing such a device is complex and always requires a qualified electrician on site.

How Does Solar Auto Transfer Switch Work?

A solar auto transfer switch connects your backup power, possibly a dedicated backup generator or battery, to your house.

When a power outage is detected, the transmission system converts your home into a backup generator. When power is turned back on, it will be returned to the grid.

The Pros and Cons of Solar Auto Transfer Switch

Pros of Solar Auto Transfer Switch

Solar auto transfer switches are designed to help your industrial facility use during power outages. How? In the event of a power outage, a solar auto transfer switch disconnects the facility from the utility grid and then connects it to a generator. Generators will provide backup power to your facility, reducing disruptions. This will help your facility continue to operate during a power outage while protecting industry personnel from the dangerous consequences of using generator power to feed back into the utility grid. The auto transfer switch for solar operates without human intervention and operation. Some models of auto transfer switches for solar are designed to operate quickly and therefore provide fast switching so that critical equipment such as data servers or medical devices can operate with zero interruption.

We have carefully curated some of the advantages of setting up solar auto transfer switches for your industrial facility. Read on to learn about them.

1. Automatic

These transfer switches are automatic. Therefore, you do not need to look for a flashlight to manually activate the transfer switch during a power outage. The entire process is automated and the changeover from mains to standby power takes only a few seconds. Your operations and productivity are not affected at all.

• Zero Accessibility Issues

Manually operating a transfer switch is time consuming because the generator and transfer switch are located in inaccessible areas of your facility, especially during a power outage. Using a manual transfer switch means that your facility and personnel will be in the dark for long periods of time, while an auto transfer switch for solar power will save you time.

• Reduce The Risk Of Injury

Since facilities and personnel will only be in the dark for a short time, the risk of an accident or serious injury will be reduced. Even during a power outage, the safety quotient is maintained if you install a solar auto transfer switch.

• Ensure Uninterrupted Supply

The equipment in some industrial facilities and commercial spaces requires a continuous, uninterrupted power supply. For example, equipment such as data servers, communication systems, medical equipment or other life-saving devices require continuous power. Solar auto transfer switches ensure that these devices receive a continuous supply of power even during power outages.

The Cons of Solar Auto Transfer Switch

The design and model of solar auto transfer switches are more complex than manual transfer switch models. What does that mean? solar auto transfer switches require regular maintenance, repair, and maintenance. These switches are expensive compared to manual transfer switches. In addition, in rare cases, the solar auto transfer switch can be unnecessarily triggered by conditions such as momentary power loss or surges. 

And regular repairs by highly trained and skilled professionals will help you overcome technical problems regarding auto transfer switches for solar. The additional features offered by these switches make them affordable. With auto transfer switches for solar, you can improve the overall safety of your industrial or commercial plant and ensure vital protection for plant personnel during power outages.

How to Choose the Suitable Solar Auto Transfer Switch?

Based on the name only, the auto transfer switch for solar is designed to automatically switch between power sources in the home or office. With such a switch, you will never have to manually turn on the generator or inverter in the event of a power outage. In order to choose the right auto transfer switch for solar, you need to know the parameters that will help you decide:

Different Loads

According to Underwriters Labs, there are five different loads:

• Load on the entire system.
• Motor load.
• Discharge lamp load.
• Strict load.
• A load of incandescent lamps.

Experts always recommend checking the percentage of the total system load on all generators to ensure that the transfer switches are the same. Sometimes it is also beneficial to check the incandescent load. However, experts always want the exact percentage not to exceed 30%, as this could pose a danger to the system or overload the switch.

Voltage Rating

A solar auto transfer switch is something that technicians connect to two out-of-sync power sources. When the solar auto transfer switch swaps two power supplies, the voltage rises. The switch should experience such voltage fluctuations to provide a seamless power supply. In general, in alternating current (AC) systems, the voltages are 120, 208, 240, 480, and 600 volts, while in direct current (DC) systems, the voltages can be different. A switch that can handle such a wide range of voltage peaks is good for you.

All of these factors are important when choosing to use a solar auto transfer switch. If you have enough experience to select these electronic components, judging the controller according to these parameters will help you get a good controller. Using the right controller is safe and durable. That’s why the right solar auto transfer switch is always chosen. The right solar auto transfer switch will prevent any accidents and significant power loss.

A good solar auto transfer switch should have protection against fire, short circuit, overload, low voltage, etc., as well as all the problems that these switches may face. Choosing a suitable controller can be a task, but it’s easy to know a reliable source or manufacturer. Check some of the mentioned products, learn more about the right solar auto transfer switch, and get the best one for you. Even if you are not a professional, using these switches with the help of a manual is easy for you.

Time Delay

In some cases, the power supply may be interrupted for a split second due to a power surge or any other reason. In this case, you do not want the standby power to boot. To prevent this, many solar auto transfer switches come with a time delay. This will only keep your backup power supply for a while. Typically, this time delay is set to 30 seconds, which should be enough to ensure that your backup power is only used during an actual power outage.  

Warranty

When you talk over and over again about things like solar auto transfer switches that don’t change, you’ll want your switch to last as long as possible. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the warranty that comes with the solar auto transfer switch. Generally, you will find that the warranty period of the solar auto transfer switch is 1 or 2 years, which should be enough for most users.

How to Install The Solar Auto Transfer Switch?

Preliminary Installation Considerations

Before installing the solar auto transfer switch, make sure the solar auto transfer switch is in good working order. Then, using the working handle, turn on the solar auto transfer switch, and check the versatility of the working mechanism, as well as the on-off situation of all levels, and the capacity of normal and backup power supplies.

The label of the product is visible on the front. The safety lengths S1 and S2 shall not be smaller.

Confirm the controlled supply voltage: 50/60Hz AC220V. The connection line of the control circuit should not be too long. The cross-sectional area of copper wire should be greater than 2.0mm.

Safety Considerations for Installation

In order to protect the safety of staff and equipment, a solar auto transfer switch is provided with the corresponding switchgear according to the specifications of the power distribution network.

The solar auto transfer switch unit is a key element of the entire modern power system because it prevents complete power loss in the event of equipment failure between direct current (solar cells) and alternating current (grid connection).

Works to install electrical wiring for safety and home improvement should be carried out with caution and preferably handled by a professional, as these works are very risky.

Electricity is dangerous and any electricity-related installations should be carried out by a licensed electrician. National electrical codes require transfer switches to meet certain safety standards, which can only be confidently achieved through professional installation.

In addition, electricians know how to properly size the transfer switch to match the power capacity of the backup generator. This is important to prevent overloading the system when the generator starts, which can damage the electrical and electronic products you wish to use in the event of a utility service interruption.

Conclusion

The demand for solar auto transfer switches is increasing, especially in developed countries. Whether you already have a power backup source or getting something like a generator or inverter for your home, you will also need a solar auto transfer switch along with it. This ensures that you do not have to manually enable your power backup every time there is a power outage.

If you are also looking forward to an excellent solar auto transfer switch, the above information will help you. If you are looking for a great solar inverter, as a leading solar inverter manufacturer Afore can help you.